Topical Bible: Heart: The Unregenerate is Subtle

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The concept of the heart in biblical literature often extends beyond the physical organ to represent the center of human emotions, will, and intellect. In its unregenerate state, the heart is depicted as subtle, deceitful, and inherently flawed, necessitating divine intervention for transformation.

Deceitfulness of the Heart

The prophet Jeremiah provides a poignant description of the unregenerate heart, emphasizing its deceitful nature. In Jeremiah 17:9 , it is written, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse underscores the heart's capacity for self-deception and moral ambiguity, suggesting that without divine insight, its true nature remains elusive and misunderstood.

Subtlety and Craftiness

The subtlety of the unregenerate heart is further illustrated in its propensity for craftiness and cunning. In Genesis 6:5 , the narrative describes the pre-flood human condition: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This passage highlights the heart's inclination towards evil, suggesting an inherent craftiness in devising wickedness.

Resistance to Truth

The unregenerate heart is also characterized by its resistance to truth and righteousness. In Romans 1:21 , the Apostle Paul writes, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This resistance is not merely passive but active, as the heart subtly turns away from divine truth, preferring its own understanding.

Need for Regeneration

The subtlety of the unregenerate heart necessitates a profound transformation, often described in Scripture as a "new heart" or a "heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This divine promise indicates the need for a radical change that only God can effect, replacing the subtlety and deceit of the unregenerate heart with sincerity and truth.

Implications for Believers

For believers, understanding the subtlety of the unregenerate heart serves as a reminder of the necessity of vigilance and reliance on God's grace. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This exhortation highlights the importance of guarding against the subtle inclinations of the heart, even for those who have experienced regeneration.

In summary, the unregenerate heart is depicted in Scripture as subtle, deceitful, and resistant to truth. Its transformation is essential for aligning with God's will, underscoring the need for divine intervention and continual spiritual vigilance.

Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 7:10
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Enmity Between Man and Satan.
... In the unregenerate heart there is love of sin, and a ... In the renewed heart there
is hatred of sin ... Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations; but he ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /30 enmity between man and.htm

Enmity Between Man and Satan
... In the unregenerate heart there is love of sin and a ... In the renewed heart there is
hatred of sin and ... Christ with his fiercest and most subtle temptations, but ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 30 enmity between man.htm

part i.
... This, in unregenerate men, is the governing principle. ... is designed to combat the
selfishness of the heart; a principle, strong, subtle, insidious, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm

Peace
... Peace flows from sanctification, but they being unregenerate, have nothing to ... is
a secret peace which the heart has in ... He is like a subtle cheater, who, if he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/7 peace.htm

The Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent
... by policy: he takes possession of a serpent, which was more subtle than all the ...
"And I did eat." But thus it is with an unhumbled, unregenerate heart; It will ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the seed of the woman.htm

Its Problem
... Yea, in all probability, he who is unregenerate is likely ... conscious of the fearful
plague of his own heart. ... the earth, whose wisdom takes the subtle in their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/3 its problem.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... calamity of the Church, to have unregenerate and inexperienced ... I know, where the
heart is carnal and covetous ... What a number of sly and subtle temptations must ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

Snares of Satan.
... to bring into the church insincere, unregenerate elements that ... is ready to supply
the heart's desire, and ... Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Dedication.
... to the multitude; but they were subtle distinctions, necessary for ... and to do whatsoever
a heart which is ... to the regenerate than the unregenerate are themselves ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/dedication.htm

Snares of Satan
... to bring into the church insincere, unregenerate elements that ... is ready to supply
the heart's desire, and ... Still another subtle and mischievous error is the fast ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm